Atletico 1-0 Rayo: Super sub Griezmann keeps pressure on Barça

Second half substitute Antoine Griezmann scored within a minute of coming off the bench as Atletico Madrid kept their title hopes alive with a 1-0 win over Rayo Vallecano. 

The Frenchman was left out of the starting line-up as Diego Simeone made seven changes to the side which beat Bayern Munich in midweek. 

But with the score still goalless after 54 minutes, Griezmann and Fernando Torres were summoned for. 

The result couldn't have been more instant: in the 55th minute, the 25-year-old brought the ball down on the edge of the box and lashed his 21st league goal of the campaign beyond the diving Juan Carlos. 

After Real Madrid's win earlier in the day, the three points move Atletico back ahead of their city rivals and to the top of La Liga. 

However, they could yet end the day back in second place if Barcelona win at Real Betis. 

Jesus Gamez, Oliver Torres, Luciano Vietto and Angel Correa were among the players to come into the Rojiblanco side, but it was Rayo who had the first chance. 

Adrian Embarba was unable to hit the target, though, his effort curling wide of Jan Oblak's goal. 

There were few clear cut chances in the first half, with two of the better ones falling to Correa, although he was denied on both occasions by Juan Carlos. 

With both sides struggling to break the other down - Rayo had actually started the second half on top - Atletico turned to Griezmann. 

The former Real Sociedad forward and Torres came on for the disappointing Oliver and Vietto.

Less than 60 seconds later, the Vicente Calderon erupted as Griezmann scored the goal which extended Atletico's winning run to seven games in all competitions. 

Koke missed a chance to double the lead, while Rayo did push forward at the end, but this Atletico defence, backed up by the impressive Jan Oblak in goal, is not easy to break down. 

This was their sixth clean sheet in a row - if they can keep up that record, there's every chance they'll end the season with either the league or the Champions League trophy. Or both.